Method and apparatus for heating substances



Feb. 17, 1931. s. E. MEYERS `METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING SUBSTANCES Filed Nov. 2l, 1925 Patented Feb. 17, 1931i nire sraras! Parent',

SIDNEY n. MnYnns, oFJBUrrQ-ino, NEW Yoan, nssronon. TonAT-ronannnrmnn a cnnnrrcan co., Inc., or nuw- Yonn, N.,Y.,1e oonro'narioi:v or NEW Yoan METHOD AND Y Arraaarns Application filed. November to the vheating of chemicals in large vessels or containers.k f e I The preparation 0f With heatingfjdemands adequate control of temperature .and substantial uniformity in its application to the containing vessels; and practical considerations ofl economy. and

lo availability of heating materials point to the desirability of direct fire `heating with the use of fuels, particulariy oils, by the combustion ofvwhich heating is effected Without the need of Yspecial chemicallapparatus.

A usual arrangement of oil burners for heating is the direct flame impingement'on the vessel and the supporting masonry. ith such an arrangement it is found that spots are burned in the vessel requiring frequent turning to-prolong its life, the heatingisnonuniform, heat is largely Wasted inthe stack, and deterioration of the masonry necessitatespractical rebuilding. In addition, the burner being at one level at a distance from the vessel, and the operating zone ofthe vessel being at another level,close supervision of the preparation of the compound and simultaneous heat controlare not practicable. By the present invention, substantial uni-` S formity in the heating of a vessel by the combustion of liquid or powdered fuel is obtained Without the formation of hot spots in the Wall ofthe vessel. It vprovides a furnace structure that promotes combustion o'f the fuel by baffling the burning mixture Within a combustion chamber prior to its contact With the vessel; and it is of a character'vvherein the masonry exposed tto the action of the high heat is protectedfrom suchaction and 19 is in addition readily removed and replaced Without interfering with the remaining furnace structure. It also provides a setting for the vessel that conveys heat to the latter by radiation and convection without substantial direct impingement on the vessel to cause local overheating, andl that equalizes the heat so transferred to the vessel.v It further provides acombined setting and an associated furnace of compact form and oc- Q0 cupying relatively small .areawherein fur,

chemicalv compounds.

non n:narinesUnsrAncns enlaza serieu No. 70,498.

nace control `and vessel manipulation are readily associated.` In addition, there are structural details giving a relatively long life tothe combined furnace and setting Vwith, a minimum of attentionor replacement. A

p A' suitable apparatus for theaceomplishment of these objects comprises a setting for the container, an upstanding furnace separated from the setting, and a section connecting the lower portionszof the setting and thefurnace, the Whole constituting an upright U-shaped structure or an enlarged U- tube. e Fuel and air are injected intorthe up'- per portion of the furnace at about the operating level of the setting, and combustion is initiated. .Inasmuch as the gases of combustion are of greatly increased volume, a turbulence is set up 'retarfding flame propagation, and the Whole .chamber is utilized for promoting complete and sustained combustion. This action is further accentuated by the deflection or change 1in' direction of the flow of gases at ythelower portion ofthe upright Achamber into the horizontal section, further baffling the gases. Complete combustion is also assisted by having the container absent from the combustionzone thereby obviating its cooling effects. The arch, forming the horizontal section that connects'the furnace and setting, is separated from the remaining structure so that it carries no Weight and can be readily replaced Without interference; and, in addition, it is protected from deterieration by a jetof secondary air which passes over its surface. The gases entering the setting are'directed about the container, thus avoiding direct impingement normally tothe surface of the container and consequent Vhot spots; and -a counter-current flow of the gases about the container promotes a uniformity in the heating of the container, for the higher heating effect of the hotter incoming gases 'is balanced by that of the gradually cooleroutflovving gases.

VIn the accompanying drawing, an embodimentV of the invention is specifically illustrated, in which Y l e Fig. l is a horizontal sectional view on the line A-rA- ofFigLgQ,

icc

Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in cross-section on the line B-B of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line G--C of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 shows Va modified furnace construction.

In these figures a pair of furnaces and settings are illustrated. But as they are built in pairs for compactness and econo-my of material, and as each setting and its associated furnace is a substantial duplicate of the other, the following description refers to but one of them.

A container or vessel 1 is supported within an annular wall 2 spaced from the vessel. A ledge 3 projects inwardly from the wall on which rests a ring 4 engaging a flange 5 on the vessel. The vessel rests on a centrally placed pedestral 6 superimposed on a metal base 7 andthe base is protected by a surrounding wallof fire-brick 8. A pipe 9 leads cooling air to the interior of the base and outlets 10 from the base open into the space about the kettle. An inwardly projecting ledge or course of fire-brick A11, contacts with the vessel and divides the space about the vessel into two horizontal channels or passages 12 and 13; the lower passage is perfectly corbeled, as at 14 to reflect radiant heatto the vessel. A baffle wall 15 contacts the vessel and Connects the annular exterior wall 2 and the base pro tecting wall Stangentially to thelatter in the lower passage 12, and a similarly placed baille 1G extends across the upper passage 13 to the vessel. An opening 17 in the annular wall adjacent the lower baffle leads into the lower passage, and on the opposite side of the baille an opening 18 is formed in the ledge or brick course 11 separating the passages, thus providing a connection between them. A stack opening 19 is located at the far end of the upper passage 13 from the opening 18 substantially above the inlet opening 17. In the annular wall opposite the inlet opening 17 is a clean-out opening 2O closed by any suitable means, such as removable brickwork 21.

Built about the inlet opening 17 is a. horizontal section 22 formed of'firebrick and consisting` of vertical walls 23, Vfloor 24-and arch 25. A furnace structure 2G extends upwardly from this section and encloses a combustion zone or space 27. The top wall of the section formed by the arch 25, which is substantially on a level with the top of the base 7, is separated by a space 28 from an arch 29 which carries the weight of the rear furnace wall .30 above it; andthe nose of the arch is located at the reentrant angle formed by the vertical combustion chamber and the horizontal section. As the arch is thus separated it can be removed or replaced readily without affecting the rest nof the structure. The front wall 31 of the furnace is similarly carried by an arch 32. and briclred within the openings so formed is a peephole 33 vand a cleanout 34. The peephole is closed by a loose brick 35, and the cleanout opening is preferably closed with removable brickwork 36. Other sight openings are located in the furnace and setting at convenient points.

The furnace extends somewhat above the upper level of the vessel or container, and in the rear wall 37, or side facing the vessel, is an opening 38. In view of the regular crosssection of the furnace, it isfound feasible to form the top by corb'eling the brickwork 39 in from all sides, leaving an Opening 40 for a fuel burner 46 of any desired type. The corbeled briclwork forms a gradually increasing nozzle 41, that conforms substantially to the flame formation, aids the induction of air, and serves as a means for confining or directing the flame, and also for conserving the heat in the flame. The side opening 38 is provided for the insertion of a starting gas burner, but it can also serve as an inlet for primary air, if found desirable. The narrow spaced opening 28 leftbetween the arches 25 and 29 allows secondary air, drawn from the space separating the upright furnace and the setting, to enter the Zone where deflection of the burning gases occurs.

Instead of forming the top of the furnace by corbeled brickwork, the walls can extend vertically as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 4. Y With this arrangement the top is preferably an iron cover plate 42, either flat or of arch form, suitably protected by firebrick 43. With an arched top, the side walls are correspondingly arched into contact therewith, as at 44. The cover plate is perforated for the projection of a burner, and the perforation can be so located that the center line of the burner is set at an angle away from the lower section as illustrated.

The burner 46 forms no part of this invention. Itmay be of any suitable construction but, since the burner is at the top and the flow of gases is downward, av steam or air jet type of burner which injects the fuel und-cr pressure into the combustion chamber is preferred in order to accentuate the forward flame propagation. However, by connecting the stack opening 19 to a sufficiently high stack, an area of low pressure at the bottom ofthe furnace can be created, causing inward flow of air at the top without requiring inj ection under pressure.

vIn operation, fuel is injected into the upper portion of the combustion chamber or space 27 and air is drawn in therewith. As the outlet is at the lower end of the chamber. the burning mixture is compelled to travel downward by the surrounding walls, which accordingly act as baffles. As the only cause for forward movement is the zone of low pressure at the bottom of the chamber created by the stack, aided more or less by forward velocity imparted by fuel injection, factors, such as the increased volume and the high tion in theV same direction andthe temperature heat content due to combustion, act as retardai'its instead of accelerants. Gases from prior combustion thereforeretard rapid Vpropagation through the combustion zone with aconsequent spreading and turbulence of the burning mixture within the chamber. -The spreading ofthe flame heats the walls quickly to a radiant heat; andthe heat tion, protects the arch from the high heat of the deflectedgases. This permits the `use of the horizontal section as part of the combustion chamber and accordingly reduces the necessary volume of the vertical portion.

` The vgases Vof combustion are led into the lower part of the settinoP and deflected by the bahia placed tangentially to the cylindrical wall 8. rlhis deflection directs the gases against the `outer wall which in turn causesV thegases to whirl or pass in a sweeping movement around the vessel. The corbelling 14- about the lower passage becomes highly heated as a consequence and heat is radiated therefrom to the vessel. 'By' this means andl in view of the fact that thevess'el'bottom is elevated, direct impingement--of the gases normally to the vessel surface are avoided. Moreover the velocity of the gases aboutfthe vessel cannot exceed that due to the available draft. Therefore, if conditions of operation are such that an elongated flameV is produced extending into the passage, the flame appears as a slowly moving stream about the vessel. The gases encircle the vessel in the lower passage passing in a relatively horizontal direction substantially completely around the vessel until they are deflected by the baille 15 through the -opening 18 into the upper passage. Here the bafliel prevents circulagases, because of contact with the outer wall, are compelled to Vwhirl in a counter direction about the vessel until they reach thestaclr opening 19 located substantially above the inlet opening 17. The gases entering the upper passage are considerably cooler than those in thelower passage, which is evidenced by the observation that there is scarcely any color to the bricliwork surrounding the openV ing 18, though the corbelling 14 in the lower passage may be at a radiant heat. y The counter-circulation of hot entering gases in the lower passage and Vrelatively cool departing gases in the upper passage brings the grad ually cooler escaping gases above the gradually hotter incoming gases. The average temperature required.

The upwardlyV extending furnace andrvsetting connected at their lower ends by hori- Zontal section form a Ufshaped construction- Comparatively small floor space is occupied by such a compact arrangement, the necessary combustion volume being supplied by the vertical height of the furnace and the horizontal section. y This construction brings the burners andassociated controls on the upper or operatinglevel of the vessel; consequently the operator can readily adjust the furnam1 operation to give the conditions of heat and l/Vith this construction of 'furnace and setting, the liferof a vessel is greatly increased,andv in fact its internal, rather than external, disintegration becomes a controlling factor. No need arises for turning the vessel,

`and the prolonged contact of the heating gases due toA their horizontal movement about the vessels gives an eflicient transfer of heat.

l claim: 1. Heating apparatuscomprising inV combination a lcontainer for substances to be heated, passages about said container for conveying hot ui'dsabout andin contact 'with said container', means-associated with said vpassages for generating lthe hot fluids before introduction into saidpassages, and means at the operating level of the container for contro-lling the generation of the hot fluids.

2. Heating apparatus of upright U-shal ed formation having a setting for a container as one leg ofthe U, a furnace asthe other leg of the U, and a section connecting the lower portions of the setting and the furnace, said setting and furnace havin@ communication with eachother only'at said lower portions.

3. Heating apparatus comprising in conbination a container for substances to be heated, passages about sai-d container for conveying heat-ing fluids, said container forming a wall of said passages, a separated genabout said container for conveying heating fluids, anroutlet from the upper passage, an inlet to the lower passage, a furnace for generating the heating. fluids, fuel Vsupplying means in the upper portion of said furnace,

bination a container for substances to be heated7 a supporting wall spaced from said container, said wall having ledges contacting said container to form a plurality of horizontal passages about said container, a furnace connected to one of said passages, said furnace being located beside said container and without said wall, and an outlet connecte-d to another of said passages.

6. Heating apparatus comprising in combination a container, a wall supporting said container and having a plurality of connected channels formed therein for directing heated fluids about a d in contact with the container but without direct normal impin gement upon the same, a separated furnace for p eneratinfr said heated fluids, means connected to one or said channels for supplying said h yated fluids tangentiallly to a horizontal surface of said container, and an outlet from another of said channels.

7. Heating apparatus comprising in combination, a container for substances to be heated, a wall supporting said container and having a plurality7 of connected horizontal passages therein about said container, a furnace associated with a lower horizontal passage, said furnace being located beside said container and withoutsaid wall, and an out let from the upper of said horizontal passages.

8. Heating apparatus comprising in co1nbination, a container for substances to be heated, a setting for said container, a separated furnace associated with said setting, said furnace extending upwardly to the operating level of said container, and fuel supply means for said furnace at the operating level.

9. A furnace construction comprising a vertical combustion chamber, a horizontal section extending from the lower portion and forming a reentrant angle with said chamber, an a removable portion at said reentrant angle.

10. A furnace construction comprising a vertical combustion chamber, a horizontal section extending from the lower portion and forming a reentrant angle with said chamber, and an air inlet at said reentrant angle.

11. A furnace construction comprising a vertical combustion chamber, a primary air inlet at the upper portion of said chamber, a horizontal section extending from the lower portion and forming a reentrant angle with said chamber, and a secondary air inlet at said reentrant angle.

12. A furnace construction comprising a' vertical combustion chamber, an inletfor air in the upper portion of said chamber, a burner for fuel in the upper portion of said chamber, a horizontal chamber connected with the combustion chamber at the lower portion thereof and forming a reentrant angle therewith, an arch in the wall of the combustion chamber at the reentrant angle, and a second arch in said wall located above said reentrant angle, carrying the weight of said wall, and spaced from said first-inentioned arch to form between them a passage for air leading into said combustion chamber.

13. A method of heating which comprises feeding fuel mixed with air downwardly into a combustion zone, burning said mixture. baffling the burning mixture within said zone, and directing the hot products of combustion from the lower part of the zone into the lower part of an adjoining chamber and upwardly about a container to be heated substantially without direct impingement upon said container.

lei- A method of heating a container which comprises feeding liquid fuel mixed with air downwardly into a combustion chamber, burning said mixture, baffling the burning mixture within said chamber, further baffling the burning mixture by deflecting and directing the hot products of combustion from the lower portion of the combustion chamber to the lower portion of an adjoining chamber and about a container therein tol be heated substantially without direct impingement of the gases of combustion upon said container, and feeding secondary air into the combustion chamber at the point of deflection.

15. The combination in a heating apparatus of a setting for a container comprising a pedestal for engaging the container bottom, a hollow base for suporting the pedestal, an annular wall about said base, a wall concentric with said annular wall for engaging the upper portion of the container, said concentric wall having openings therein for the inflow and outflow of heating gases, means for introducting a cooling gas into said base, and an outlet in said base leading from its interior to the space between said walls.

16. In a heating apparatus, a setting for a container comprising a central support for engaging the container bottom, a wall engaging the upper portion of the container. ,n

said wall having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and a baille extending from said wall adjacent to said inlet opening and tangentially to said support.

17. A heating apparatus having in combination a setting for a container comprising a central support for engaging the container botto-m, a wall for engaging the upper portion of the container, a baille extending from said wall tangentially to said support,

and a horizontal course for contacting the container intermediate the upper portion and the bottom of the container, said wall having an inlet opening below said course and an outlet opening above said course.

18.1 A- heating--apparatushaving in combination a. settingfor a Vcontainer; co'i'npris-` .said base for said medi-um.

2l. A heating apparatus having in combination a support for a'container, said support comprising, a centrally disposed hollow base, a wall surounding said base, means extending throughv said wall for conducting a cooling gas into said base, and an outlet in said basefor said gas. Y

22. A heating apparatus of upright U- shaped formation having a setting for a container as one leg of the U, a furnace as the other legof the U, a section connecting the lower portions of the setting and the furnace, said setting and furnace having communication with each other onlyat said lower portions, a burnervatv the upper portion of the furnace, and means at theV operating level of the container for controlling the burner.

A heating apparatus having in combination a setting for ay containercomprising a central support for engaging the container bottom, a wall for engaging the'upper portionof the container, a baille extending from said wall tangentially to said support, and a horizontal course for contacting the 'container intermediate the upper portien and the bottom of the container, said wall having aninlet opening below said course, an outlet opening above said course, both openings being on the same side of said baiie, and said course havan opening on the opposite side of said baffle. A

24. A heating apparatus having in combination asetting for a' container comprising a central support for engaging the container bottom, a wall for engaging the upper portion of the container, a bams extending'from said wall tangentially to said support, a horizontal course for contacting the container intermediate the upper portion and the bottoni of the container, said course having an opening on one side of the baffle, said wall having an outlet opening above said course on the opposite side of said baille and an opening forming an inlet below said course on the same side of the baffle as said outletopening, and a furnace for generating hot gases connected with said setting by means of said inlet. n

25. A method of heating which comprises vfeeding fuel mixed with air downwardly into a combustion Zone, burning said mixture, baffiing the burning mixture within said zone, and. directing the hot products of combustion fromthe lower part of said zone intokthe'Y flower part of an adjoining chamber and `upwardly about a container to be heated.

26. A method of heatinga container which comprises fee-ding liquidfuel mixed withair downwardly `into ,1a combustion chamber, burningfsaid mixture, 'bafflingA the burning mixturewithin said chamber, further baffling the burning mixture Vby detlectingand directing-the vhot Vproducts-of combustion from Y .the lower portion, of thecoinbustion chamberr .to the-lower portion ,of an adjoining chamfber andrrfabout a containertherein to be `heat- Y ed, and feeding secondaryairintothe combustion chamber at thepoint of deflection.

l27. Heating apparatus comprising incombinationa container for substances to be heated, and means for passing'heating gases in counter-current. directions substantially com- -pletely around said container while in contact therewith.

28. Heating apparatus comprising incombination a container for substances to be heated, means for passing heating gases in a relatively horizontal direction substantially com'- pletely around said-container while incontactV therewith, and means for passing said gases ina counter-current direction around,-said container while` in Contact therewith. I, 29. A heating apparatus having in combination a setting for a container comprising a hollow centralV support for engaging the oo ntainer bottom, a wall for engaging the upper portion-of the container forming a chamber, a baffle extending from said .walltangentially to said support, a horizontal course for contacting the container intermediate the upper portion and the bottom of the container, said .course having an opening on one side of said baffle,- said-wall havingv an outletA opening above said course and on the opposite side of said baffle and an inlet `opening vbelow said course and on the sarneV side of the baileas said outlet openinggvmeans extending through `said wall'for conductingairto the interior of said hollow support, and a passage connecting the interior of said hollow support with lsaid chamber, and a separated furnace for generating hot gases connected: with said setting by means of said inlet opening, said'furnace comprising a vertical combustion chamber,- a horizontal section'extending from the lower portion of said chamber and forming a Vreentrant angle withsaid chamber, a primary air inlet in the-upperv portion of said cham- ;ber, a secondary air inlet at said reentrantangle, a burner atthe upper portion of said furnace, and means at the operating level of said 4container for controlling said burner.

.30. A method of heating which comprises passing burning fuel downwardly through a combustion chamber, withdrawing the hot the opposite horizontal direction around the products of combustion from the combustion container and in heat transferring relation chamber, directing said products into a heatwith said hot products of combustion.

ing chamber separated from said combustion chamber, and passing said products about a container to be heated in said heating chamber.

31. A method of heating which comprises passing burning fuel downwardly'through a combustion chamber, withdrawing the hot products of combustion from the combustion chamber, directing said products into a heating chamber separated from said combustion chamber, and passing said products about a container to be heated in said heating chainber tangentially to said container but without substantial direct impingement of said gases upon said container. j

3L'. A method of heating which comprises passing burning fuel downwardly through a combustion chamber, withdrawing the hot products of combustion from the combustion chamber, and passing the hot products of combustion in counter-current directions about a container to be heated andin contact therewith.

33. A method of heating which comprises feeding fuel and air downwardly into a combustion chamber, burning `said mixture in said chamber, baiiling the burning mixture by deiecting and directing the hot products of combustionl from the lower portion of the combustion chamber to the lower portion of an adjoining chamber, and passing the hot products of combustion in counter-current directions substantially completely around a container to be heated.

34. A methodl of heating which comprises feeding fuel and air downwardly into a combustion chamber, burning said mixture in said chamber, bathing the burning mixture by deiiecting and directing the hot products of combustion from the lower portion of the combustion chamber to the lower portion of an adjoining chamber, passing the hot products of combustion in one horizontal direction substantially completely around a container to be heated., and passing the resulting relatively cool gases in the opposite horizontal direction aroundV the container and in heat transferring relation with said hot products of combustion.

35. A method of heating which comprises feedingv fuel and air downwardly into a combustion chamber, burning said mixture in said chamber, baiiiing the burning mixture .byl deflecting and directing the hot products of combustion from the lower portion of the combustion chamber to the lower portion of an adjoining chamber, passing the hot products of combustion in one horizontal direction substantially completely around a container to be heated and in Contact therewith, and passing the resulting relatively cool gases in In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

SIDNEY E. MEYERS. 

